le SoHo Versailles — Restaurant in Versailles

SoHo – Where New York Meets Versailles and Culinary Perfection Takes the Stage

There are moments in life that are so profound, so indelibly etched into your soul, that you find yourself revisiting them in the quiet hours of reflection. Our evening at SoHo, nestled in the heart of Versailles, was one such moment. And before I even begin, let me make this clear: the poivre sauce served here is not merely the best in Paris, nor the best in France—it is the best of our lives. We are not given to exaggeration, but this declaration feels as immutable as a law of nature.

We arrived early for our reservation, lingering over a local beer at a bar across the square, watching the rhythm of the city settle into its evening stride. When we finally entered, SoHo’s interior greeted us with a balance of sophistication and approachability. It has the elegance of a New York bistro transplanted into the charm of Versailles, but it avoids the pitfall of pretension. The staff, warm and familiar, treated us as though we were old friends invited into their home. It is rare to find this blend of casual camaraderie and polished service, and rarer still for it to feel so natural.

The menu promised much, and the kitchen delivered even more. I began with the pork ribs, coated in a barbecue sauce that was smoky, sweet, and tangy in all the right measures. The meat fell effortlessly from the bone, its tenderness matched by the vibrant crunch of the accompanying vegetables. Meanwhile, Patricia chose the beef with poivre sauce—a dish that would become the highlight of the evening.

Her plate was a masterclass in simplicity perfected. The beef was cooked with precision, its tender fibres framed by a golden, caramelised crust that gave way to a warm, pink centre. It was the kind of steak that reminds you why this dish has endured as a hallmark of fine dining. And then there was the sauce.

Oh, the sauce. A deep, velvety poivre, whose complexity unfolded with each taste. The pepper’s warmth was rounded by a buttery richness and an almost imperceptible sweetness that lingered just long enough to beg the next bite. I could say it was sublime, but that would be an injustice. This was alchemy. If they sold it by the jar, I would have bought enough to last a lifetime.

Dessert came in the form of a café gourmand, a trio of miniature delights to close the meal. The brownie was good, though unremarkable, but the other two offerings made up for its modesty. A yogurt with red fruit compote and pecans surprised us with its balance of tartness and crunch, while the cheesecake was a revelation. Eschewing the modern tendency to disguise itself as a sugary confection, it embraced the rich tang of cream cheese with unapologetic authenticity.

Even the smallest details were considered. Cloth napkins, thoughtfully chosen cutlery—these are touches that many Parisian establishments have abandoned, but SoHo honours them, and in doing so, honours its diners.

SoHo is not just a restaurant; it is an experience, a symphony where every note is played with care. The food, the atmosphere, the service—they all work in harmony to remind you why we seek out such places.

Rating: 5/5

Only 3 to 5 restaurants per city earn a spot on our exclusive 5/5 list, and many cities don’t make the cut at all. SoHo is among this rarefied company, a restaurant that exceeds expectations with grace, heart, and a poivre sauce that I will remember for the...

Regrettably, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant. We went in with good expectations, having seen what was on the menu in advance. But the service and the food left much to be desired (especially the food). The Mac and cheese croquettes were actually passable, but nothing really out of the ordinary, and they were a bit dry. The Croque New-Yorkais was disappointingly small and it was supposed to have pastrami - however, we could barely find any pastrami in it other than a tiny, thin slice. The fries were undercooked and chewy. And finally, the Tuna Tataki was the biggest disappointment: most of the slices of tuna had huge chunks of sinew, which made them impossible to chew. On top of that, the tuna was completely cold, even on the outside parts that were supposed to be seared. Obviously, Tataki is served cold/at room temperature, but the borders are usually warm. When I complained about this, the manager/waiter in charge told me that "this is our Tataki, and it's served cold". We had high hopes for dessert, but unfortunately this incident made us want to just pay and leave. I rated the service two stars, because at least the waitresses who tended to us before this were nice. Definitely not going back...

Je pense que le problème c'est que je n'ai pas pris leurs grillades et tatakis (aussi tentant soient-ils je ne voulais pas m'amuser à dépenser plus d'une vingtaine d'euros pour un plat). Quoi qu'il en soit, j'ai quand même opté pour dépenser une dizaines d'euros pour un bon saint Germain Spritz (absolument délectable) et presque 20 euros pour un Burger pas si ouf que ça au final (il y a bien mieux pour bien moins cher à Versailles). Rien à redire sur les frites et le ketchup mais je ne sais pas ce qui justifie 19 euros cinquante pour un ejaculat de cheddar farineux sur burger aux pickles de champignons à peine goutable. J'ai pris un cheesecake a la pistache en dessert, cheesecake qui manquait un peu d'onctuosité et qui ne goûtait pas tant que ça la pistache. Dommage.

Dommage car le reste de la carte me paraissait vraiment appétissant et le service était à la fois propre, professionnel et agréable. Mais bon, même si ça ne me gênerait pas de donner tous les pourboires du monde à une équipe au top, flemme de casser mon PEL pour un morceau de viande passé au gril.

Versaillaises Versaillais foncez si votre bourse le permet, et n'oubliez pas de prendre un cocktail, mais pour moi ça reste un...